He was born Feb. 9, 1928, to Mary Elizabeth (Callahan) and Ralph Paul Clark, Sr., in Wichita.

He married Vivian McCord on Feb. 17, 1978. She survives.

He graduated from Wichita North High School in 1946.

He played football and baseball for Friends University before joining the army, where he played on the traveling baseball team. He completed his education at Kansas State University, earning a BBA in Accounting in 1953. He played baseball for Kansas State and was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.

He began his career as an oil scout and landman with Lion Oil Co. in Liberal before becoming an independent oil and gas producer. He owned and/or operated various oil and gas companies, including his first partnership, Clark & Wade with lifelong friend, Rex Wade, followed by Amarex, Inc., Parlay Oil Company, Red Clark Inc., Lancer Petroleum, C&S Exploration Inc., and Clark Properties. He acquired the core block of acreage developed by Baker & Taylor Drilling Co. with C&S and partner, FM Stephenson.

He was a member of Liberal Country Club, Amarillo Country Club, Broadmoor Golf Club, AAPL, PAPL and PPROA.

He enjoyed golf, gin rummy, and friendly sporting wagers. His collegiate and semi-pro baseball career earned him a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals. He enjoyed old movies, detective novels and a sentimental Irish tune.

• Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, with the Rev. Jo Mann presiding.

Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to a favorite charity.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.boxwellbrothers.com.

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The High Plains Daily Leader and Southwest Daily Times are published Sunday through Friday and reaches homes throughout the Liberal, Kansas retail trade zone. The Leader & Times is the official newspaper of Seward County, USD No. 480, USD No. 483 and the cities of Liberal and Kismet. The Leader & Times is a member of the Liberal Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas Press Association, the National Newspaper Association and the Associated Press.

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